Dancers dazzle at Project S.T.O.R.Y.’s third annual Empower recital

They gathered on the stage wearing glittering leotards, tiered skirts and radiant smiles.

Young women, from eager beginnners to experienced dancers, displayed their talent at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage on Tuesday evening as part of Project S.T.O.R.Y. and the Empower Dance Company’s second annual recital.

Their performances captured the full range of dance traditions, from jazz to ballet and lyrical dance, in a recital designed to embolden young women to “continue to work hard, learn skills and become successful leaders,” according to Project S.T.O.R.Y.’s website.

The local organization, whose name is an acroynym for Supporting Talents of Rising Youth, serves over 100 young people from ages 6 through 21 with programming that introduces them to and reinforces a passion for the creative arts, the outdoors, civics and a number of other areas of enrichment.

The Empower Dance Company is one of those programs.

Instructor Esha Camacho leads free, weekly lessons designed to remove financial barriers of access to various dance disciplines. Participation in performances, including purchasing costumes, also comes at no cost to students.

This is the company’s third annual Empower Dance Recital.